WYOMING LOOKOUTS

HIGH PARK

Washakie County
Bighorn National Forest
October 15, 1940:  "The construction of the High Park trail is completed except for about 35 man days on rock work."  (CCC Camp F-3-W, Tongue River, inspection October 3-9, 1940)

​June 19, 1941:  "Supervisor Conner had planned to complete the High Park lookout this summer as a part of his CCC program.  With the discontinuance of Camp F-34-W it seems impossible to do this high priority job without your help.
     This is a rock structure and will require the services of a stonemason.  The thought occurs that possibly upon completion of work at Clayton Gulch Memorial you would be able to spare a rock man who could work from the Shell Creek Side Camp on a fly camp basis.  It is realized, of course, that you have other plans, but it will be appreciated if you will consider this proposal with Supervisor Conner, decide the relative priority of this project to other work the rock man might do, and advise whether you think construction of the rock work at High Park lookout is feasible this summer."  (Letter to the Forest Supervisor, Shoshone from Assistant Regional Forester)

August 19, 1941:  "Mr. Griswold of the Grazing Service has agreed to give us five CCC boys out of the Tensleep Camp to help the rock mason in putting in the foundation for the High Park Lookout if and when we arrange to get a stone mason."  (Plans - Work Peojects, Tongue River CCC Camp)

January 6, 1949:  "Daylighting at the High Park Lookout has largely been accomplished."  "Better roads to Hunter Mesa and High Park lookouts are needed.  In the case of High Park about all that is needed is a location on a satisfactory grade."  (Memorandum to the Regional Forester)

November 20, 1956:  496 visitors were reported by the lookout this season.  (Memo to the Regional Forester)

November 15, 1957:  379 visitors were reported by the lookout at High Park.  (Memo to Regional Forester)

April 7, 2015:   By order of the Chief of the Forest Service the name of the lookout was changed to The James T. Saban Lookout in honor of a former Forest Service Ranger who died while fighting the 1937 Blackwater Fire on the Shoshone National Forest.